Children's Literature and Movies, Therapy and Service Dogs, the Planet Of The Dogs book series, and books for dog lovers.

November 2012

November 14, 2012

According to book world professionals, when a child reaches 12, they are no longer a child. They are a young adult (YA). And the books written today for the YA market have radically changed. The following excerpt is from a Publisher's Weekly article , YA Comes of Age, written by Sue Corbett, prize winning YA author and reviewer.

"The young adult market theses days is a bit like a nephew you haven't seen in years: transformed from a little darling into a hulking almost-grownup who is maybe even a little bit scary. Teen titles...overwhelmingly feature menacing creatures, forbidden romances, and apocalyptic versions of this and future Earth. 'Blood' is a common word in titles, as is'dark','death', 'deadly', and even 'darker still' ".

It would seem that non-violent solutions to conflict and war are not an important factor in an overwhelming number of today's young adult books.

However, non-violent solutions are central themes in all our children's books.

We live in an era of endless conflicts, rebellions, power struggles and wars. Fear and danger fill the films, TV, media, internet, games and books of the young adult world.

Our readers are younger. Yet the world depicted in our books is often dangerousand invading tribes struggle for power. However, non-violence plays a major role as the dogs demonstrate when they overcome warrior tribes, violent despots, and the king of the North.

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Joy Without Borders...Heart warming videos of returning veterans reunited with their dogs were featured on Way Cool Dogs.

"Dog videos of dogs welcoming returning soldiers are filling the air as members of the U.S. military return home, combined with videos of happy families. But there is something that cannot be described when a dog becomes so ecstatic that it can hardly contain itself, beyond happy that its master has finally returned."...Here's the link JOY

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The Pet Partners Children's Corner at October's My Dog Loves Central Park Country Fair had thirtyfive therapy dog animal teams "raising awareness of the human-animal bond connection, the therapeutic roles of animals in human healthcare and the educational, psychological and physiological benefits of animal-assisted interactions." Michele Siegal, Instructor and master evaluator for Pet Partners was guest hostess and information source throughout the day.

Events for the kids included tricks, Prevent a Bite Demonstrations, reading books with
dogs (part of the R.E.A.D. program), and readings (photo above) by
prize winning children's book authors Ellen Weis and her husband Mel Friedman.

The Children's Corner event was organized by Nancy George-Michalson seen in the photo on the right with Callie, her therapy reading dog. Anyone in the NYC area interested in becoming a Pet Partners® registered therapy animal team are welcome to contact Nancy, Pet Partners NYC Therapy Animal Program Coordinator. Therapy dog owners interested in the R.E.A.D. can also contact her. Nancyg-m@petpartners.org212 535-2211www.petpartners.org

When I lost my much-loved dog, Cosmo, a number of people asked me if I would get another dog. When I answered "yes" they responded with shock. "How could you go through the hurt of losing another dog?" In Circlingthe Waggins, C.A. Wulff answers this question in ways that entertain, educate and touch the reader deeply. After losing a series of elderly pets, the author teaches us the value of the entire experience. "I contemplate this thought for some time, this bridge between hanging on and letting go; how every time we put ourselves out there - opening our hearts to love others -we make ourselves vulnerable. Fortunately, the healing power of that love and the value of those unforgettable bonds far outweigh the eventual losses we suffer."This story of a two women who devote their lives to caring for rescued dogs, cats and even feeder mice doesn't fail to entertain and keep you turning the pages. I will never forget the image of big dog Waldo, dressed for Halloween as Captain Waldo, Lobster Fisherman, accompanied by three little dog siblings in bright red lobster costumes. Throughout the book young animals cavort and play. Elderly animals sicken and die. The circle of life continues and humans and animals live together in an atmosphere of love and warmth."

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A Sure Smile -- maybe a laugh -- for dog lovers and others who like to be surpised at the talents of dogs...check out this YouTube video: surfandsnow﻿

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Just Sniffing Around

Kathy Brodsky, the author of Just Sniffing Arouund, has written a series of illustrated children's books on topics ranging from penguins and pigs to horses and cats. Kathy is also a therapist and clinical social worker. Just Sniffing Around is a fun tale for children and doglovers about the daily adventures of a family and their dog.

All of her books are also designed to be learning experiences. In the back of each book are questions to promote discussion. For more information and to see all the books, visit her website:kathy

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Chain of Hope...dog's best friend in Kansas City

Chain Of Hope in Kansas City, MO, is a community group helping dogs in many ways...Mission Statement:Helping owners become aware of the crucial needs of their pets

The death of a pet is never easy; in fact it is one of the hardest things a family goes through together. What is difficult about a dog death is being able to explain to your little ones what is going on and how to handle their reactions. Here are some helpful tips to help [...]Here is the link to read more: CHILDREN

Write us atbarkingplanet@aol.comand we will send you free reader copies of books from the Planet of the Dogs Series.

Read Dog Books to Dogs....Ask any therapy reading dog: "Do you like it when the the kids read dog books to you?"

For sample chapters of Planet Of The Dogs, Castle In The Mist and Snow Valley Heroes, A Christmas Tale, visit www.planetofthedogs.net

The photo is of Barb Babikian's therapy dog Lille with Sienna, a very dear friend.

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All books in the Planet Of The Dogs series can be purchased at your favorite independent bookstore or on the internet through Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Powells and many others.

Librarians, teachers, bookstores -- order our books directly from Ingram...professional discount, of course. For sample chapters of all books in the Planet Of The Dogs series, click: SampleChapters

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****** Rescued Dog Is A Broadway Star ******

Sunny, a rescued dog, who came from a shelter in Houston, plays the role of Sandy in the current revival of the musical "Annie". Owner and trainer, Bill Berloni, conducted a nationwide search of rescued dogs to play the role. Acccording to Michael Schuman in the New Yorker magazine's Talk of the Town (October 22, 2012), Bertoli has a farm in Haddam, Connesticut where twenty-six dogs run free on ninety acres. Since 1976, when Berloni was a 19 year old apprentice at the Goodspeed Opera House (where "Annie" premiered), he has always used rescued dogs. Casey, Sunny's understudy, came from a shelter in Nashville.

Our next Children's Literary Salon has been rescheduled for Saturday, December 8th at 2:00 p.m. Our
topic? Independent Publishing in an Age of Mass Marketing (all the more timely with the recent Random House/Penguin merger, don't you think?). The description of the program reads:

"While huge companies like Scholastic, Macmillan, Harper Collins, etc. may have seemingly unlimited funds to promote their materials, smaller independent publishers have found niche areas missed by some of their bigger competitors. Join Cheryl Willis Hudson (Just Us Books, Inc.), Claudia Zoe Bedrick (Enchanted Lion Press), VP Editor-in-Chief Mary Cash (Holiday House), and Harriet Ziefert (Blue Apple Books) for a conversation about the advantages and disadvantages of being a David in an era of Goliaths."

Our event will be held in the South Court Auditorium in the main branch of NYPL. As always, please email me if you have any questions or concerns.

Note: The illustration is from Snow Valley Heroes, A Christmas Tale, published by Barking Planet Productions, an independent publisher...Independent....................................

The challenge of retelling Grimms' fairy tales...The characters are conventional, the imagery obvious and there's very little description – but the stories are irresistible. Philip Pullman on rewriting fifty of his favourites...

"Finally, I'd say to anyone who wants to tell these tales, don't be afraid to be superstitious. If you have a lucky pen, use it. If you speak with more force and wit when wearing one red sock and one blue one, dress like that. When I'm at work I'm highly superstitious. My own superstition has to do with the voice in which the story comes out. I believe that every story is attended by its own sprite, whose voice we embody when we tell the tale, and that we tell it more successfully if we approach the sprite with a certain degree of respect and courtesy..." Here is the link to read it all: Philip Pullman

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AddWagginTales San Pablo Kimberli Buckley

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A Story Lost In The Mists of Time

Santa and the elves were desperate.Dasher and Dancer were missing.There could be no more Christmas.This was long ago when dogs first started coming to earthTo teach people about loyalty and love and non-violence.Snow Valley Heroes, A Christmas Tale is the true story of how the dogs saved Christmas for children everywhere. Here is an excerpt from a review by Don Blankenship.

“What a truly wonderful and unique Christmas
story for the whole
family. Snow Valley Heroes, A Christmas Tale, by Robert J. McCarty and illustrated by Stella Mustanoja McCarty is the third offering in the Planet of the Dogs series; What
an imagination this team has… an ideal book to snuggle up with the little ones
on a cold winter night and simply enjoy.”

Don Blankenship, teacher, reviewer for Good Books for Kids

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Kimberli Buckley, Assistant Librarian for Youth and Teen Services for the San Pablo Library, wrote to tell us about the success and one-year anniversary of their Waggin Tales therapy
dog reading program.

Many of the children participating in the program are struggling to learn english and come from a "struggling socio-economic community". The Waggin Tales program is made possible through a "partnership with the East Bay SPCA in Oakland which trains these special dogs and their owners as a part of its Pets and Love Shared (PALS) Pet Therapy Program."

Barking Planet was pleased to send reader copies of the Planet Of The Dog Series to Kimberli in recognition of Waggin Tales one year anniversary.

DOG WORLD LINKS

Animal Literature"The more we study animals the more we understand ourselves, whether through books or live encounters," writes Barbara Julian, former librarian, animal and book lover, and owner of the Overleaf Cafe-Bookstore...literate, insightful and relevant posts are found at Animal Literature.

BookHoundsAn action-packed fun site for books, gardens, Dogs, interviews and non-stop book Giveaways...

Good Books for Kids -- ReviewsA wonderful site for parents, teachers and librarians...
Pam and Don write caring, relevant and very informative reviews...outstanding...

Booking MamaA passionate reader, an ardent book reviewer, with a young reading daughter who also reviewed for us... a dynamic reading duo...

Books Ahoy...Book Thoughts by LisaA self-proclaimed bookaholic, mother of five young book lovers, and reviewer...a family woman in and a
world of books...lots of book finds, giveaways and author interviews...

Joyful PawsThe website for Frankie the Walk 'nRoll Dog and his mom, BarbTeschel...inspiration for all ages in the story of this couageous dog...Frankie and Barb are reaching out to others to share their story...

Lesa's Book CritiquesLively, literate and relevant reviews by a professional librarian and book lover...the focus is on mysteries, but a world of good reading awaits you here